When the Chronicle solicited opinions regarding development of the former KBR site near downtown, we heard from about a dozen people who think about things like this professionally.

From Peter Brown, architect, former city councilman and urban planner with Better Houston, we got a detailed list of "guiding principles" for transforming the 136 acres along Buffalo Bayou into a well-planned "town center" project along the lines of CityCentre on the west side and those in some of the area's suburbs.

"Properly designed, this area could become immensely popular, transforming not just the East End, but also the Fifth Ward, while also creating a much-needed spike in the city tax base," he said.

Some of Brown's ideas for pulling it off, in his own words, in condensed and edited form:

A basic grid pattern of walkable streets connecting a mix of housing types served by rear alleyways with higher density centers and well-placed local parks.

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Frequent rail and/or bus services to support an urban lifestyle. For example, a streetcar line from the Dynamo light-rail station would greatly improve transit connections with the rest of the city and encourage redevelop- ment opportunities.

A range of financial incentives achieved by working with the city and Harris County to utilize economic development mechanisms.

A "Special Purpose Urban District" established by the city with customized development regulations and incentives.

A mix of residential, office, retail and civic uses. Over 15 years, the $1.5 billion to $2 billion development program could include: 2,800 to 3,500 moderate- and higher-density single-family homes and residential loft apartments; 1.5 million to 2 million square feet of office space with a focus on high-tech industries.

Renovation of the existing KBR tower into offices and/or lofts; 500,000 square feet of retail, including a supermarket, shops, restaurants and entertainment uses in the "town center."

Civic amenities including a community park with play fields, a K-12 school, churches, community centers, art galleries and a small museum; a dramatic "town green" framed by mid- and high-rise buildings as the town's focal point with a pedestrian promenade that leads to bayou trails.

Buildings around the town green should have ground-floor retail uses, such as shops, sidewalk cafes, restaurants and a hotel lobby. Upper floors should house residential and office spaces.